Sokolowski, Mielke Appear on Panels Sponsored by U.S. Department of Education
Two Old Dominion University modeling and simulation experts appeared on panels in the U.S. Department of Education's Modeling and Simulation Stakeholders Meeting in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 27.
John Sokolowski, executive director of ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), took part in a panel discussion about modeling and simulation in engineering design and manufacturing, in the practice of medicine, and in military and defense.
Roland Mielke, University Professor and chair of the Department of Modeling, Simulation and Visualization Engineering in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, moderated the second panel, on visualization and analysis teaching and training.
Sokolowski said the one-day event, attended by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, showed the federal government's acceptance of the idea that modeling and simulation has evolved beyond a tool for military operations, and into a multidisciplinary science for fields such as medicine and transportation.
"Modeling and simulation is a vital tool for addressing problems in these and other domains. We need students educated in modeling and simulation to be the ones to employ this technology to solve the problems," Sokolowski said.
The purpose of Wednesday's meeting was to inform policymakers in the postsecondary education field "of the important role that modeling and simulation education now plays and will play in the future of our national security and global industrial competitiveness."
With the introduction of an undergraduate modeling, simulation and visualization engineering major in January 2010, ODU became the first school in the country to offer a complete postsecondary education in MSVE, from undergraduate to post doctorate.
In recognition of the increased importance of MSVE in its engineering curriculum, the Batten College last year made MSVE the seventh department in the college, with Mielke as its first chair.
Other attendees at the Washington meeting included Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News); Assistant Education Secretary Eduardo Ochoa; Donald Combs, professor of health professions at Eastern Virginia Medical School; and Eric Sheppard, dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at Hampton University.